Remaining Clean and Sober After Receiving Addiction Treatment

In 2011 the World Health Organization (WHO) conducted a study which claimed that “…harmful use of alcohol results in the death of 2.5 million people annually around the world (more than AIDS or tuberculosis), causing illness and injury to many more…” This is hard to imagine. It’s also been estimated that as many as 1 out of every 10 adults internationally could be afflicted with some form of substance abuse (excluding tobacco) addiction. That could mean that nearly 600,000,000 people on earth that have a problem with substance abuse that could justify some form of addiction treatment. Now of course, some cases are going to be worse than others and every substance abuser, even if addicted, will not become a down and outer or require treatment.

Few Seek Treatment

Only a minute fraction of those with substance abuse problems ever seek addiction treatment and many of those who do seek treatment are never able to find long term sobriety. In the United States, addiction treatment is available in a variety of ways. Some of these options are expensive; very expensive, costing as much as $100,000 for a 30 day stay at a “luxury” rehab resort. Other rehabs are much more reasonable and will accept most patients health insurance if addiction treatment coverage is offered. Still, other treatments are readily available at no cost to victims of addiction such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. The latter “Anonymous” fellowships are available on a lifelong basis at no cost for those who wish to remain clean and sober forever.

Detoxification

One form of addiction treatment that every addicted person wishing to get sober needs to endure is detoxification. The detoxing process can be excruciatingly painful and dangerous to endure without proper supervision. Many addicts and alcoholics will go to a specific detox clinic; some of which are associated or part of an addiction treatment facility. A natural progression is to go from a detox facility into an in-residence rehab program in order to get 30, 60, or in some cases 90 days of sober time with supervised counseling and other methods made available. While in-residence and with constant supervision, getting sober can be programmatic. Most rehab’s will check urine and keep very close tabs on patients; but what do these patients do when released and how do they remain clean and sober?

The Statistics Are Scary

Alan Leshner, Ph.D., director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and Neuropharmacology professor George Koob, M.D., of the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, California, agree that 80 percent of addicts who get off drugs in detoxification go back to drugs within a year. Only 20 percent achieve a stable abstinence from a given detoxification. Other sources state that the number is even smaller. Why such a small percentage.

Motivation and Addiction Treatment

As with most things, the most motivated will be the most successful. Few addicts are motivated to go through detox and only slightly more are motivated to spend 30 – 90 days living in a facility. However; the type of facility that an addict attends can have a profound impact on creating motivation and maintaining long term sobriety. Smaller, privately run, more intimate facilities are popping up around the country. South Florida in particular is home to many small rehab facilities. Some of these small facilities feature personalized programs where family members are encouraged to be involved in the healing process. These facilities are thought to be the most successful in creating the motivation and tools for a long term sober life.

If drugs or alcohol are affecting your life, or that of a loved one or friend, you are invited to call them at 561-626-3450and find out if treatment can help you begin A New Day.

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